In these winter months, it’s especially important that babies receive the necessary nutrients for staying healthy and fighting off those nasty colds and flus that inevitably attack each year. That’s why we’ve come up with some foods that are particularly good at protecting your child’s health (not to mention your own!).

Leeks are often over-shadowed by their rival vegetable--the onion. However, there are several great health benefits of eating this flavorful food. Leeks are high in both carotene and Vitamin C, both of which are efficient in cold prevention. Not to mention, the best season for buying leeks is from November to February!

Carrots and sweet potatoes are extremely high in beta-carotene, which is essential for strengthening our immune systems after our bodies convert it to vitamin A. When we get sick, our noses and throats are the first areas attacked; beta-carotene helps ensure these canals are functioning properly.

Garlic is yet another food that can do wonders for fighting the common cold. It is loaded with allicin, a compound which wards off the enzymes that participate in viral and bacterial infections.

Put all these super foods together and get one nutrient packed meal that you can trust to keep away the sniffles. The possibilities are endless with these tasty vegetables: try adding them to some rice or processing them into a kid-friendly puree. Keep in mind with the garlic and leeks only to use a small amount at first to make sure your baby will take to the flavor. And of course, make sure to consult your doctor before introducing new foods to your baby’s diet!